It is normal for teens and their families to fight because they’re at that age. When reading the short story “Building Bridges” by Andrea Pinkney the author shows us that family relationships are complicated, but they always get better. Mama Lil, the grandmother, says she won’t sign the permission slip, for her granddaughter, Bebe to work on the Brooklyn Bridge. Throughout the story their relationship grows stronger because of this obstacle.
Mama Lil and Bebe’s relationship is lacking strength. They fought and insulted each other all the time. In the story Bebe was telling the reader what Mama Lil thinks of her.For example, on page 18 it said “ she thought I weighed to much and dressed badly, I thought she smoked too much and overdid it with her fake chains.” I understand family members fight, all family’s fight, but not all family’s insult each other the way Mama Lil and Bebe do. Another example on page 18, when Mama Lil says, “ I ain’t going to be the one who allows you to take part in such foolishness.” This shows that Mama Lil really doesn’t support the idea of Bebe’s dreams and wishes. Bebe enjoys drawing and engineering but Mama Lil thinks its a waste of time.
In the middle of the story Mama Lil and Bebe’s relationship grew stronger. For example Mama Lil said on page 29, “What little bit of dreaming I got left in me I’m putting to you.” This reveals that Mama Lil truly cares about Bebe. This also shows that Mama Lil is trying to have Bebe follow her dreams instead of her grandmothers own. On page 23 Mama Lil says, “ All those pretty pictures you draw in that tablet of yours are real nice.” This shows that Mama Lil admires her drawings but that is something to say to avoid the subject about the Bridge project. Mama Lil wants Bebe to work at the beauty parlor. Bebe doesn’t want to. She still wants to follow her dreams.
At the end of the short story Mama Lil and Bebes relationship is more profound than it had been before. For example on page 34 Bebe said “i hugged Mama Lil good and hard”. This shows that Bebe cares about Mama Lil and that Mama Lil did something that Bebe was happy about. Furthermore on page 34 when Mam Lil said “ Bebe, the bridge is lucky to have you.” This quote shows that Mama Lil is finally realizing Bebes talent with engineering.
In conclusion, Bebe and Mama Lils relationship has grown stronger from the beginning to the end. Many parents put their dreams in their kids, some parents let their kids dream for themselves. After the story ends Mama Lil lets Bebe go to achieve her dream, their relationship( that has progressed throughout the story) is now very close. I predict that now Mama Lil and Bebes relationship will be well built and powerful.
